Climate of South Africa. Climate of Central Africa Monthly weather in South Africa

The position of the Congo Basin in equatorial and subequatorial latitudes determines the features of its climate. The northern part of the depression has an equatorial, Azande uplift, and the entire southern part has a subequatorial climate. In the depression, the continental tropical air is transformed into equatorial air and ascending air currents dominate, with which showers are associated.

Temperatures are high and uniform throughout the year. In the equatorial zone, average monthly temperatures vary within +23 - +25°С. Their fluctuations increase on marginal uplifts. So, in Katanga the temperature of the warmest month is +24°C, the coldest is +16°C. However, the main differences in climate are not related to temperature conditions, but to the precipitation regime.

In the central part of the basin, precipitation falls evenly, with maxima in spring and autumn, during periods of the zenithal position of the Sun; their number per year reaches 2000 mm or more. When moving north and south, the rainy periods gradually merge into one long and relatively short (2-3 months) dry period (with precipitation below the average monthly norm). The north of the country is located at lower latitudes than the south, so the dry season is less pronounced there. As a result, the amount of precipitation decreases. On the northern and southern marginal uplifts, 1500-1700 mm of moisture falls annually. The wettest windward slopes of the South Guinea Upland, up to 3000 mm of precipitation falls here annually. The driest is the coastal lowland south of the mouth of the Congo (500 mm per year or less), where the influence of the cold Benguela Current and the descending air currents of the South Atlantic High affects; temperatures also drop, especially in summer.

Climate of South Africa

The South African plateau lies in the subequatorial, tropical and subtropical climatic zones. However, tropical climate types predominate. In the summer of the Southern Hemisphere, a local baric depression forms over the Kalahari. The north of the region (up to the middle reaches of the Zambezi) is irrigated by the summer equatorial monsoon. The entire eastern part is influenced by the southeast trade wind, which brings humid tropical air from the Indian Ocean, heated over the warm Mozambique current. Abundant precipitation falls on the Mozambique lowlands, the slopes of the Great Escarpment and the eastern marginal plateaus. To the west of the Great Ledge and the marginal plateaus, marine tropical air quickly transforms into continental air and the amount of precipitation decreases. The west coast is under the influence of the South Atlantic High, which is intensified by the powerful cold Benguela Current. Atlantic air warms up over the surface of the mainland and emits almost no precipitation. On the western marginal plateaus there is a front between the maritime Atlantic and continental tropical air; here the amount of precipitation increases slightly. In the winter of the Southern Hemisphere, a local anticyclone forms over the plateau, merging with the South Atlantic and South Indian baric maxima. Downward currents of air cause the dry season; precipitation does not fall.

The South African Plateau is an area of ​​relatively high temperatures, significant daily and annual fluctuations. But on the plateau temperatures are moderated by a considerable height. Over most of the plateau, summer temperatures are +20 - +25°C, not rising above +40°C; winter temperatures are +10 - +16°C. The Upper Karoo Plateau experiences frosts in winter, while snow falls on the Basuto Highlands.

The plateau is an area of ​​predominantly meager precipitation, which is distributed very unevenly over its territory. Their number decreases when moving from east and north to west and south. In the north of the region, up to 1500 mm of moisture falls annually; here the rainy season brought by the equatorial monsoons lasts up to 7 months. A lot of precipitation falls on the east coast, where the barrier role of the Great Ledge is especially pronounced. Precipitation is brought here by the southeast summer trade wind (more than 1000 mm per year, and on the slopes of the Basuto highlands - over 2000 mm). The most frequent and heavy rains fall from November to April. On the eastern marginal plateaus, precipitation decreases on the Weld Plateau (750-500) and Matabele (750-1000 mm). The summer maximum precipitation is also preserved in the interior regions, but their annual amounts are decreasing. On the central Kalahari plains, the rainy season is reduced to 5-6 months, the annual precipitation does not exceed 500 mm. To the southwest, the amount of precipitation decreases to 125 mm per year. The driest part of the region is the coastal Namib desert (less than 100 mm of precipitation per year). Little precipitation will fall on the western marginal plateaus (up to 300 mm per year).

The climate of the Cape Mountains is subtropical. In the southwest, it is of the Mediterranean type, with rainy, warm winters and dry, hot summers. Temperatures are tempered by altitude and sea. In Cape Town, the average temperature in January is + 21°C, in July + 12°C. Rains begin in April, are heavy from June to September, and then stop as moist westerly winds give way to subtropical anticyclone winds. In winter, snow falls on the tops of the mountains. In the western part of the mountains, on their windward slopes, the greatest amount of precipitation falls (up to 1800 mm per year). To the east, their number decreases to 800 mm. East of 22° E. in the precipitation regime, the typical features of the Mediterranean climate disappear, and the summer maximum begins to predominate due to the penetration of humid oceanic monsoons onto the mainland. There is little precipitation on the coastal plain (in Cape Town - 650 mm per year). The climate of the inner parts of the mountains is subtropical continental.

The climate of Madagascar is mostly tropical and hot. In the north, the average temperature of the coldest month (July) is +20°С, the warmest (January) is +27°С. In the south, the average July temperature drops to +13°C, the average January temperature drops to +33°C. On the plateau, the climate is temperate, with temperatures decreasing with altitude. In Antananarivo, at an altitude of 1400 m, the average January temperature is below + 20 ° С, the average July temperature is + 12- + 13 ° С. The amount of precipitation in different parts of the island is not the same. The main mass of precipitation is brought by the southeast trade wind from the Indian Ocean. Therefore, on the east coast (lowlands and slopes of the plateau), rain falls almost evenly throughout the year and the amount of precipitation reaches 3000 mm per year. On the eastern plateaus, the amount of precipitation decreases, but exceeds 1500 mm. In the west of the island there are rainy and dry periods. The amount of precipitation decreases from 1000 to 500 mm per year. In the extreme southwest, inaccessible to humid air currents, less than 400 mm of moisture falls annually.

From this we can conclude that the climate of the regions of Africa and their parts is significantly different (table 3.1). This is facilitated by the differences between different climate-forming factors and the intensity of their influence on a certain territory.

Table 3.1 Regional climate differences in Africa

	Territory	air masses	Average temperature, °С	Precipitation, mm
North Africa	atlas mountains
					less than 50 to
					350-250 (sev.) 1500-2000 (south)
West Africa	North Guinea rise.
East Africa	Ethiopian-Somali
Eastern African plateau
Central Africa	Congo depression					from 1500-1700 to 2000
South Africa	South African plateau			1500 (north hours) 500-1000 (E.H.)
cape mountains
Madagascar			1500-3000 (E.H.)

It belongs to those rare corners on our planet where not every tourist gets. But almost everyone who is familiar with the call of wanderings and the aroma of the earth scorched under the sun dreams of such a journey. Although South Africa, whose climate is very diverse, can give not only sunny days, but also rainy weeks, when everything around for many kilometers is under the influence of bad weather.

geographical position

South Africa is a fairly young state, today it is not even a hundred years old. But the history of this place is truly unique and belongs to the most ancient on the planet.

South Africa is located in the southern part of the African continent and extends over more than one million square kilometers. Nine provinces and three capitals are located in this territory. Few people know that South Africa is one of the richest countries in the world. There are deposits of manganese, diamonds and gold, and the recognized leaders in the list of countries recommended for visiting can envy the diversity of flora and fauna.

Such a variety of plants and animals, many of which are truly unique, provided South Africa with a climate. He miraculously preserved rare plant species that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet and provided a comfortable life for many animal species.

The climate of South Africa: briefly about the main

Speaking briefly about the climate of the Republic of South Africa, the most important thing to mention is the number of climatic zones. There are twenty of them on the territory of the state, this does not occur in any other country in the world! These amazing features of the climate of South Africa provided the state with an influx of tourists who a few years ago were able to appreciate the possibilities of recreation in the Republic of South Africa. After all, in one trip you can easily cross several climatic zones and see rare species of animals live.

South Africa: nature and climate

The territory of South Africa is washed by the waters of two oceans at once, which significantly affects the climate of the state. The Indian Ocean brings warm subtropical air, while the Atlantic contributes to the formation of hot and dry air masses over most of South Africa. In general, the climate in the country can be described as moderate, which is very unusual for such a geographical location. But do not forget that South Africa is quite high above sea level and is often influenced by fresh ocean breezes. This feature makes it easy to endure even summer heat exceeding thirty-five degrees Celsius.

The twenty climatic zones that exist in South Africa can be roughly divided into:

• tropics;
• subtropics;
• mediterranean.

The east of the country is characterized by high humidity and high average annual temperatures, which is very similar to the Asian mainland. The north of South Africa can be safely attributed to a tropical climate with a lot of rainfall, but the south is just a Mediterranean paradise. Tourists from Europe often come here, surprised by quite pleasant and comfortable climatic conditions.

The climate of South Africa: interesting features

For those who come to South Africa for the first time, the climate can bring many surprises and surprises. For example, the spread of average annual temperatures in different parts of the country is quite surprising. It can reach up to ten or twelve degrees, which is absolutely impossible in other states.

Winter and summer in South Africa are the opposite of the usual seasons for residents of Europe and Asia. Summer lasts from October to April, and winter begins in May. Moreover, spring and autumn fly by almost imperceptibly, they are very short. Usually the off-season does not last more than two or three weeks. The average monthly summer temperature is twenty-five degrees above zero Celsius, in winter, especially in the desert, the thermometer can drop to zero. In the daytime, even in winter, the air warms up quickly, which allows tourists to visit South Africa at any time of the year.

The influence of climate on the flora and fauna of South Africa

A large territory of South Africa is given over to national parks and reserves. It is forbidden to hunt in them, and ideal conditions for the active life of animals are created. Tourists who come to the African continent try to go on a safari to see lions, elephants and rhinos in their natural habitat. They feel great in a large number of climatic zones, and after a ban on their shooting was introduced, they significantly increased their population.

For botanists, South Africa is simply a paradise, because many houseplants known to us were taken to Europe from here. Today, the country boasts the largest number of endemic plants in the world. Now there are more than five thousand species that are not found anywhere else in nature. This fact makes the climate of South Africa really special.

Of great interest to scientists is the silver flower, which is the symbol of the country. The fact is that it is found only in South Africa. The climate of the country surprisingly affects this plant. On the one hand, climatic conditions allow the flower to grow within the same habitat zone, but on the other hand, it is the climate that does not allow the possibility of spreading this plant throughout the territory of the Republic of South Africa.

Area: 1.2 million km2
Population: 49 million people
Capital: Pretoria

Geographical position

The Republic of South Africa (SAR) is located in the extreme south of Africa, south of the Southern Tropic and is washed by the waters of two oceans. The cold Benguela current in the west and the warm current of Cape Agulhas in the east determine the climate and nature of the country. The slightly indented coastline and desert areas of the west coast do not contribute to its intensive development. The southern coast has a more favorable geographical position for development. On the territory of South Africa there are two small independent states - Lesotho and. (Find out on the map which countries South Africa borders on.)

Natural conditions and resources

South Africa has the most powerful economic potential in and is the only African country that is among the developed countries. The Republic of South Africa was proclaimed in 1961.

Most of the country lies above 1000 m above sea level. The geological structure of the territory determined the wealth of South Africa in ore and the absence of deposits. The bowels of the country are extremely rich in manganese ores, chromites, platinum, diamonds, gold, coal, iron and.

The territory of South Africa is located in the subtropical and tropical zones. The climate is arid, but cooler than in the north of the mainland. Average annual temperatures - +20…+23 °С. The difference between the temperatures of the hottest and coldest seasons is only about 10 °C. Annual rainfall ranges from 100mm on the west coast to 2000mm on the slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains.

The territory of South Africa is crossed by several large rivers: Orange, Tugela. The largest river in South Africa is the Orange River, which is almost 2,000 km long. The most important industrial and agricultural regions of the country are located in its basin. Large hydraulic structures have been built on the river, including reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations. The Dragon Mountains are crossed by the Tugela River, on which the highest waterfall in Africa - Tugela (933 m) is located.

The soils are varied and mostly fertile: red-brown, black, gray-brown. A significant part of the territory in the center and in the east is occupied by savannahs. Tropical forests have been preserved along the banks of the rivers. In the south, subtropical forests and evergreen shrubs are common. The flora of the country has about 16 thousand species, savanna formations predominate. In the most humid areas - savannahs with palm trees and baobabs, in and Karoo - deserted savannah (dry-loving trees, shrubs and succulents (aloe, spurge, etc.). juicy grass is a good fodder for sheep.

In the Cape floristic region (district) there are more than 6 thousand plant species, most of which are endemic. The flower of the silver tree (protea) has become the national symbol of South Africa. Deserts and mountains, river valleys, a significant length of the ocean coast determine the diversity of the flora and fauna of South Africa. The most diverse fauna is in national parks, the most famous of them are Kruger, Kalahari-Gemsbock, in which all representatives of the animal world, including endemics, are concentrated. About 200 species of snakes are known in the country, more than 40 thousand species of insects, pockets of malarial mosquitoes and tsetse flies have been preserved.

South Africa is the richest country in Africa in terms of mineral resources. Climatic conditions allow growing cultivated plants all year round.

Population

The ethnic composition of the population of South Africa is very complex. About 80% of the country's citizens are black Africans who belong to various ethnic groups (Zulu, Xhosa, Suto, etc.). The population of European origin is less than 10%. The third largest population group in South Africa is mulattoes and mestizos. There is a significant population of Asian origin.

Population density 37 people/sq. km. The most densely populated areas are Cape Town and Durban. More than 35% of the population lives in cities. Since the end of the 90s. natural population growth due to morbidity has sharply decreased and since 2005 has a negative indicator.

According to the structure of employment of the population, South Africa is a post-industrial country (65% of the working population is employed in the service sector, more than 25% in industry).

The high level of economic development made it possible to solve many social issues and ethnic relations. Previously, most of the local population was subjected to oppression. The policy of apartheid existed in South Africa for 45 years. She preached racial oppression of the colored population, the creation of reservations for blacks, the prohibition of mixed marriages, etc. In 1994, the apartheid political regime was overthrown as a result of general elections and the whites' refusal from the monopoly on power. South Africa has been restored to the world community.

Cities

The capital is the city of Pretoria (more than 800 thousand people). The urban population is 64%. South Africa is dominated by small towns with a population of up to 10,000 people. In addition to Johannesburg (3.2 million people) and, the largest cities are port cities - Cape Town,.

Industry

The country's economy produces 2/3 of the continent's GDP. The country's economy is determined by its mining industry. About 52% of the country's exports come from mining products. The country ranks second in the world in diamond mining, and third in uranium ore mining. Almost all types of minerals have been found in South Africa, excluding oil. Coal mining is developed - in terms of the use of coal for South Africa, it ranks 3rd in the world.

The mining industry is closely related to the production of gold bars (25% of world production) and platinum. The main center of gold mining is Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, the “economic capital” of the country. Several dozen gold mines operate here, and an urban agglomeration has formed (about 5 million people). The branch of specialization of the country is ferrous metallurgy. South African steel is the cheapest in the world. Non-ferrous metallurgy is represented by the production of most non-ferrous metals: from copper, antimony and chromium to rare earth metals.

The service sector is developing rapidly. The banking sector and trade received the greatest development. The service sector provides up to 62% of GDP.

Agriculture

In agriculture, the leading role is played by animal husbandry, primarily wool sheep breeding. Sheep wool and leather make up a significant part of the export. Cattle and goats are also bred. South Africa is the world's largest producer of angora goat mohair (South African mohair is considered the best in the world). They also breed ostriches.

Droughts affect the development of agriculture, 1/3 of all land is affected. Cultivated land makes up about 12% of the territory. The main crops are corn, wheat, sorghum. South Africa provides itself with all basic food products, exports sugar, vegetables, fruits and berries, citrus fruits. Many lands are marginal and need constant fertilization.

Transport

The main inter-district mode of transport in South Africa is rail. Railways connect port cities with. The role of road transport is growing, which accounts for 80% of all transportation in the country. The most important seaports are Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, etc.

South Africa is the only highly developed country in Africa. South Africa is known in the world as the leader in gold mining - 25% of world production. The South African economy accounts for 2/3 of the continent's GDP.

“Those who have visited Africa at least once definitely want to return...” - these words of the famous traveler Bernhard Grzimek surprisingly accurately describe the feelings of visiting South Africa. It is difficult to see all the sights of this country at one time. Boundless savannahs, beaches of two oceans, national parks, nature reserves and silent deserts await guests of this South African state.

The flora and fauna of South Africa is amazing. The rapid development of industry did not prevent the South Africans from preserving the rich nature, for which nature reserves were created, which are part of the world cultural heritage. The most famous is the Kruger National Park, the kingdom of animals. Antelopes, zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, elephants and rhinos live here. The famous park is located at the junction of several climatic zones: tropical and subtropical.

Safari is a journey into the heart of the wild nature, touching the primeval. South Africa perfect for such a close acquaintance. Here you will be offered traditional daytime and exciting night safaris, hot air balloon safaris and one of the most amazing and unusual safari- by private jet Pilatus PC12.

Programs

Three countries in one trip
Traveling with children. Cape Town - Durban - Sun City - Johannesburg

Climate of South Africa

There are several climatic zones and climatic zones in South Africa - from the desert zone to the Mediterranean climate zones and subtropics. The seasons in South Africa are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer - from October to March (with temperatures from 15°C at night and 35°C during the day), winter - from June to August (with temperatures from about 0°C at night and up to 20°C during the day). Spring (August - September) and autumn (April - May) are short. In general, the climate is even and mild throughout the year with a low average annual rainfall of 502 mm and plenty of sunny days. The temperature of sea water differs in different areas - from the cool water of the Atlantic (12°C-17°C in the Cape Town area) to 21°C-26°C on the coast of the Indian Ocean.

Average annual air temperature (°C):

Average annual rainfall (mm):

When is the best time to go

The best time to travel is from October to April.

How to get there

Many international airlines fly to South Africa.

South African Airways operates regular daily flights from Moscow to Johannesburg and Cape Town with Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), British Airways (via London) & Aeroflot (via Zurich, Paris, London, Frankfurt) and back.

The airline operates daily flights from Moscow to South Africa (Johannesburg) via Dubai.

The following airlines also operate regular daily flights to South Africa:

Emirates (via Dubai), Lufthansa, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, British Airways, Air France Iberia, Qatar Airways, Swiss.

South Africa - information about the country

Official name

Republic of South Africa.

The country has three capitals - Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (parliamentary) and Bloemfontein, where the Supreme Court is located.

South Africa is divided into nine provinces: Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal, North Western Province, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Free State, Houteng, Northern Cape, Limpopo.

Geography

State in southern Africa. In the northeast, it borders with the state of Mozambique, in the north - with Zimbabwe and Botswana, in the northwest - with Namibia. On its territory there are two small enclave states - the mountain kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland. South Africa is located in the very south of the continent, its coast is washed by the Atlantic and Indian oceans. The total area exceeds 1.2 million sq. km.

Population

The total population of South Africa is 43.7 million people. Various nationalities and ethnic groups live on the territory of the country. The black Bantu people make up 77.6% of the total population; mestizos - descendants of Malagasy, Indians and Malays - 8.7%; white population - 10.3%; Indians - 2.5%.

Difference in time

Moscow time minus 2 hours.

South Africa has 11 official languages. The most common is Zulu. English is considered native by less than 9% of the population, but it is widely used in everyday life.

mobile connection

Owners of mobile phones operating in the GSM-900/1800 standard can also use them in South Africa.

The monetary unit is the South African rand (R) equal to 100 cents with the international symbol ZAR. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 rand and coins in denominations of 5, 2, 1 rand, as well as 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. The rand exchange rate is approximately 6 rand per 1 US dollar.

The visa is issued at the South African Embassy in Moscow.

You can import duty-free into South Africa: 400 cigarettes; 50 cigars; 2 liters of wine; 1 liter of other alcoholic beverages. A strict ban applies to the import of weapons and drugs. You can not import vegetables and fruits. You can bring an unlimited amount of foreign currency into South Africa. However, the import of local currency is limited to 500 rand per person.

It is not allowed to export rough diamonds from South Africa, and for precious metal products and diamonds, you must have an appropriate certificate from the store.

tourist areas

In South Africa, there are 9 provinces that differ from each other not only in climate, landscape, but often also in the ethnic composition of the population.

Western Cape- the most famous and developed province of South Africa. Cape Beautiful is home to Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula with the legendary Cape of Good Hope, wine regions and the famous Garden Road. Virgin landscapes of untouched nature, two oceans washing the shores of the province, a mild Mediterranean climate and at the same time excellent infrastructure allow the Western Cape to be the most important tourist region in South Africa.

Eastern Cape- located east of the Western Cape and is distinguished by picturesque mountainous landscapes and a beautiful ocean coast, indented by lagoons and rocky cliffs. Here are located national parks with rich fauna and untouched nature, such as the Eddo National Park, Shamwari Parks, where all the representatives of the "Big Five" live, the Kwandwe Reserve, as well as a number of other natural oases.

IN KwaZulu Natal- Durban is located, and the sandy beaches of the warm Indian Ocean are adjacent to the green hills of Zululand and the majestic Dragon Mountains. Here is the kingdom of the Zulus, the relic lake of Santa Lucia, the breathtaking canyon of the Blyde River, the magical caves of Sadwala, as well as the well-preserved museum cities of the gold rush era.

Houteng- the most populous and at the same time the smallest province in South Africa. Johannesburg is located here - a giant metropolis, financial, industrial and transport center. Here is one of the three capitals of the country - Pretoria.

northern cape- the largest in area and, at the same time, the most sparsely populated province of the country. The "diamond capital" of the Kimberley, the Kalahari Desert, the Augrabis Falls, the Orange River are located here, and here you can observe the annual miracle - the flowering of the Namaqualand valley.

Mpumalanga- the province is famous for its picturesque hilly landscapes and the most famous Kruger Park National Reserve.

Northwest- here, in the middle of the traditional bush, is the famous Sun City, offering all kinds of water activities, the largest casinos and entertainment complex in Africa, as well as the Pilangsberg National Park.

Limpopo(formerly Northern Province) - rich in historical sites, wildlife sanctuaries, hunting grounds, cultural heritage, health resorts and the wide African plains.

Car rent

In South Africa, any driver who is at least 23 years old and has a valid international driving license with a photo can rent a car.

Restaurants

In South Africa, there are a huge number of excellent restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian, Portuguese, Mexican, Indian, Arabic, Jewish cuisines are present along with traditional South African cuisine. After dinner at a restaurant, vacationers can go to one of the many nightclubs and dance there until the music stops.

For children

Elephant Park (Knysna Elephant Park) - located 20 km from Knysna, the Garden Road route. In natural conditions, but under the supervision of people, several young elephants live. You can chat with elephants, stroke them, it is interesting for both children and adults. And you can order an individual walk with elephants and a mahout through the forest.

Sun City - located 2.5 hours from Johannesburg. For children - a water park with water slides, a beach and artificial waves, themed events are held, for example, Treasure Hunt. Hundreds of children's slot machines, many walking paths and nearby the Pilansberg Nature Reserve.

Reserve "Monkeyland" (Plettenberg).

Located next to Plettenberg. A unique opportunity to see various species of monkeys and forest birds in the natural conditions of the subtropical forest. Professional guides will take you through the park and tell you about the inhabitants living in it.

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (Cape Town) - located in the port of Cape Town and is an entertainment center with an Oceanarium; cinema center (IMAX); museums; a hall of multi-colored pebbles - "scratch-patch". Here you can make sea cruises, watch live fur seals on the pier.

The cities are home to shops and malls offering everything from brand name goods to handicrafts.

Souvenir shops offer a huge variety of ethnic souvenirs.

There are also convenience stores at gas stations. In supermarkets you can only buy wine, beer and spirits are not sold in them.

National holidays

Entertainment

The country has a large number of entertainment facilities - clubs, theaters, casinos; sports infrastructure.

Security

In all major cities and most reserves, tap water is purified and completely drinkable. The risk of malignant malaria exists in certain areas of the country on the border with Mozambique (the Kruger Park area (Mpumalanga, Northern Province) and northeast KwaZulu Natal). For prevention, it is recommended to take special medications (Laream).

Total area: 1,219,912 sq. km. It is 5 times larger than Great Britain, 2 times larger than France and equal in territory to Germany, France and Italy combined. Border length: 4750 km. It borders on Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Coastline: 2798 km.

Population: about 40 million people. Ethnic groups: blacks - 75.2%, whites - 13.6%, colored -8.6%, Indians - 2.6% Official languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi, Suto, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Pedi. Religion: Christianity (68%), Hinduism (1.5%), Islam (2%), animism, etc. (28.5%).

Capitals: Cape Town (parliament), Pretoria (government), Bloemfontein (Supreme Court). The population of Cape Town - 2,350,157 people, Johannesburg - 1,916,063 people, Pretoria - 1,080,187 people. Form of government: republic Administrative division: 9 provinces - Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North-West Province, Northern Cape, Northern Province, Western Cape.

Natural resources of South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is located in the south of the African continent, in the tropical and subtropical latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. The territory of South Africa is 4.2% of the area of ​​the continent (1221 thousand sq. km). The landscapes of natural zones of savannahs and light forests, semi-deserts and deserts, replacing each other from east to west, are most characteristic of the country. Plateaus and plateaus descend steeply to the coastal lowlands in the east and to the depression in the south. The windward slopes are overgrown with subtropical evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs.

In the north, South Africa has land borders that run mainly through sparsely populated semi-desert and desert regions. It borders Namibia to the northwest, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north, Mozambique and Swaziland to the east. The Kingdom of Lesotho is located on the territory of South Africa as an enclave. In the west, the country is washed by the waters of the Atlantic, and in the south and east - by the Indian Ocean. This location of the country predetermines the presence of various natural landscapes.

The relief of South Africa is characterized by the predominance of high flat plateaus. About half of the territory has an altitude of 1000 to 1600 m, more than 3/4 is located above 600 m above sea level, only a narrow strip of coastal lowlands in the west, south and east does not exceed 500 m.

In general terms, the relief is determined by the internal plateaus and coastal plains of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The plateau slopes from the southeast to the northwest. Its most elevated parts are located on the border with Lesotho (more than 3600 m), and the least elevated parts are in the river basin. Mololo (less than 800 m).

Coastal plains stretch in a narrow strip in the east, south and west of the country. In the extreme south, the coastal lowlands are very narrow; to the north, it gradually expands to 65-100 km.

Statistical indicators of South Africa
(as of 2012)

The diversity of the geological structure, outcrops of ancient crystalline, often metamorphosed rocks, determined the exceptional wealth of the country in minerals. In total, 56 types of mineral raw materials were found on its territory. A truly unique set of a wide variety of minerals is found on a relatively small area: chromium, coal, iron, nickel, phosphates, tin, copper, vanadium; the world's largest supplier of gold (more than 15,000,000 troy ounces per year). South Africa occupies the first or one of the first places in the world in terms of reserves and production of platinum, diamonds, antimony, uranium and manganese ores, chromites, asbestos, andalusite, etc. The only drawback of the mineral resource base is the lack of proven oil reserves. In this regard, the main place in the fuel and energy balance of the country is occupied by coal.

Climate of South Africa

The country is located in the subtropical region, and north of 30 ° S. sh.-tropical climate. Average annual temperatures throughout the territory are positive (from +12° to +23°С). The difference in temperatures between the "coldest" and the "hottest" belts is about 10°C. This difference is determined not so much by latitude as by relief and fluctuations in absolute heights. As the height increases, so do the amplitudes of daily and annual temperatures, the possibility of frosts and their duration.

Rivers of South Africa

The lack of moisture in most of the country does not contribute to the emergence of large lake-river systems. The density of the river network is extremely uneven. Most of the permanent rivers belong to the Indian Ocean basin. The largest of them are: Limpopo, Tugela, Umgeni, Great Cay, Great Fish, Sandys, Gaurits, etc. In most cases, these are short, rapids rivers originating on the eastern and southern windward slopes of the Great Ledge. They are full-flowing, mainly rain-fed, with a summer maximum water flow.

The largest in South Africa, the Orange River (tributaries of the Vaal, Caledon, Brak, etc.) has a length of 1865 km and belongs to the Atlantic Ocean basin. It flows through arid inland plateaus and becomes very shallow in its lower reaches. A number of large hydraulic structures have been built on the river and its tributaries. To the north of the middle course of the Orange River, several seasonal rivers (Nosob, Mololo, Kuruman, etc.) flow, belonging to the area of ​​internal flow of the Kalahari Plain.

Under conditions of lack of surface water, groundwater is of particular importance. They are used both by industrial enterprises and by many farms in the central and western regions of the interior plateau. Seawater desalination plants operate on the West Coast, and water is being treated for reuse in industrial plants.

Soils of South Africa

Chestnut and red-brown soils are the most widespread in the country. Etd, two types of soils occupy almost half of the country, from the West Coast to the foot of the Drakensberg Mountains (the Kalahari region, the Middle and almost the entire High Weld, the vast areas of the Bushveld, and in the south the Large and Small Karoo). The presence of these types of soils is determined by climatic conditions, primarily by the amount of precipitation. Light-brown and red-brown soils are characteristic of the desert-steppe regions, and chestnut - for dry steppes.

In the eastern part of the High Weld and in the Bushveld, black, chernozem, and chestnut soils are common. The black, ferruginous soils of the dry savannas, which farmers call "black peat," are fertile. In higher places, more leached red soils are often found.

Coastal areas are characterized by a wide variety of soils. On the East coast, in the most low-lying parts, fertile red soils and yellow soils of subtropical regions are developed. The southwest coast is an area of ​​fairly fertile brown soils.

All soils require the application of mineral and organic fertilizers. Along with this, a constant fight against soil erosion is necessary. Improper plowing of slopes and excessive grazing lead to the destruction of soil structure and erosion. The arid climate creates a problem of artificial irrigation. Only 15% of South African land is suitable for agriculture.

Flora of South Africa

The flora of the country is rich and varied. In total, there are about 15 thousand plant species that belong to two floristic regions - Cape and Paleotropic. The vegetation of the savannah zone and the zone of semi-deserts and deserts prevails.

The appearance of the savannas changes depending on the amount of precipitation. In the most humid regions, various palm trees, baobabs, podocarpus, valuable tree species and grass stands grow; Low Weld-park savanna, or mopane savanna (from the name of the widespread mopane tree); Bushveld is an acacia-euphorbia savanna dominated by various types of acacias, evergreen shrubs and light groves of trees shedding their leaves during the dry season.

The zone of semi-deserts and deserts occupies the western coastal plain, vast expanses of the Upper, Greater and Lesser Karoo, and the most arid parts of the Kalahari.

Succulents, or "stone plants" grow in the northwestern regions of this zone; in the Kalahari, near the Namibian border, grasses predominate on sandy soils. In arid areas, karru is an abundance of succulents of various shapes. From leaf succulents, aloe, acacia are often found, from stem succulents, spurges are widespread, there are shrub succulents.

The High Veld occupies a zone of grassy steppes (grasveld). More than 60% of the territory of the Grasveld is covered with cereals, in the more humid eastern regions a high temeda (up to 1 m) is common, in the drier regions - low (not higher than 0.5 m) - This is the best fodder for livestock on natural pastures. There are also various types of bearded vulture, fescue.

The Cape Floristic Region is the center of decorative flora of world importance. In a relatively small area, 800 km long and less than 10 km wide, more than 6,000 plant species from 700 genera grow, most of them endemic. Evergreen hard-leaved shrubs and various perennial plants dominate here. The flora of the Cape region has a number of common families and genera with the flora of Australia, South America (the Proteaceae family and the sundew genus) and Europe (sedge, reed, flax, nettle, buttercup, rose, feather grass, etc.).

About 2% of the country's territory is under forest. In light subtropical forests on chestnut soils, valuable species such as iron and fragrant trees grow. Protected coniferous forests consist of yellow wood. On the East Coast, small areas of humid subtropical evergreen forests of ficus, Cape boxwood, Cape red and Cape ebony trees with a variety of lianas and epiphytes have been preserved. Significant afforestation work is underway on the slopes of the mountains, plantations of pine and cedar, Australian acacia and eucalyptus are being created. By 1990, artificial forest plantations amounted to more than 1 million hectares.

Fauna of South Africa

The fauna belongs to the Cape subregion of the Ethiopian zoogeographic region. It is represented by predators (wild cats, hyenas, jackals, panthers, cheetahs, lions), numerous ungulates, and elephants. Several species of civet, eared dog, several genera of golden mole rodents, 15 genera of birds are endemic. There are up to 40 thousand species of insects and 200 species of snakes, up to 150 species of termites in the country, in the northeast there is a center of distribution of tsetse flies and malarial mosquitoes.

During the colonization of South Africa, many species of animals were almost exterminated. At present, the animal world is well preserved only in reserves and national parks. The largest and most famous of them: Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe, Kalahari-Hemsbok. In the Kruger National Park you can see lions, leopards and cheetahs, elephants and hippos, giraffes, buffaloes and antelopes. Anteaters live here, feeding on termites, for which the Boers call them "earth pigs." In "Hluhluva", along with the listed animals, in the valleys overgrown with shrubs (rhinos, hippos and crocodiles are found in the rivers, white rhinos, which have become a rarity, have also been preserved. Flamingos, pelicans and various herons nest on the lakes, and African warthogs, waterbucks live among ungulates. There are many There are about 20 species of antelope preserved in the Kalahari-Hemsbok National Park, South Africa is home to many very rare species of these graceful, swift-footed animals. and the rare grey-brown nyala, and the dwarf antelope. Until now, in the Kalahari and arid regions of the Welds, antelopes provide food and clothing to the tribes of the Bushmen and Hottentons.